NHS doctors have urged members of the public not to go to A&E during the busy Christmas period unless "absolutely necessary".

Doctors have told people to not use A&E services in the coming days unless

Demand for the service traditionally peaks between Boxing Day and December 29, with festive drinking piling pressure on A&E units.

Professor Keith Willett, National Clinical Director for Acute Care, said: "The NHS is open seven days a week, 365 days a year for those who need emergency help.

"But A&E experiences a surge in the days following Christmas and the New Year. Younger, fitter people can help our hardworking NHS doctors and nurses by only attending if it's absolutely necessary."

He suggested keeping winter remedies such as over the counter painkillers and simple cough syrups, and said: "Using a pharmacist as a first point of contact when you're unwell is often the best thing to do."

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NHS England and the Royal College of Emergency Medicine have both called on people suffering from viral coughs, flu and minor ailments to recover at home. Health service guidelines advise that people keep an eye on elderly or frail neighbours, friends and relatives.

A recent report by the Nuffield Trust, an independent body which monitors UK healthcare, said that emergency admissions to hospital specific to alcohol have increased by over 50% in six years, and the number of people attending A&E with probable alcohol poisoning has doubled in six years.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warns that Christmas is a particularly risky time for public health, highlighting the risks posed by flammable decorations, trailing wires and cables for new gadgets, and toys that do not comply with safety standards.

Members of the public are warned by the organisation to turn off lights at night, keep pairs of scissors handy rather than use knives to open presents, and to be careful in the kitchen.

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Alcohol is the chief cause why people go the A&E

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In the last 10 years the number of A&E patients has increased by a staggering 44%

While issuing its call for younger, more robust people to avoid A&E, the NHS said that emergency admissions through A&E have increased dramatically over the last 10 years, with a 44 percent rise between 2004/5 and 2014/15 - or an extra 2million patients.

Last year, the British public made more A&E visits, and more NHS 111 and ambulance calls than ever before.

The warning comes as the NHS is grappling with a shortage of nurses. A report by the Government-backed Centre for Workforce Intelligence revealed that next year the National Health Service will have 47,5000 fewer nurses than it needs.

By the end of this year, the NHS is expected to be facing a deficit of £2 billion.